Recording/reproducing method and recording/reproducing apparatus

Abstract

A voltage of an intensity corresponding to information to be recorded is applied to a recording medium which comprises a film containing a charge generating material. The film is sandwiched between two electrodes. Electric charges are accumulated in the recording medium upon application of the voltage so that information is recorded. When light is irradiated to the recording medium, the stored charges are converted into photo-current. The recorded information is read out by detecting the photo-current. When the electrodes are short-circuited, the recorded information is erased.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A recording/reproducing method which comprises: applying a voltage of intensity corresponding to information to be recorded to a recording medium comprising a film containing a charge generating material sandwiched between two electrodes so that electric charges are accumulated in the recording medium and the information is recorded; irradiating light to the recording medium to convert the stored charges into photo-current thereby to read the recorded information; and   short-circuiting the electrodes to erase the information.   
     
     
       2. An information recording and reproducing apparatus which comprises: a. recording information input means;   b. a recording medium which has a photo-electric conversion film sandwiched between two electrodes;   c. light irradiation means for irradiating light to the recording medium;   d. photo-current detection means for detecting a photo-current generated from the recording medium upon light irradiation;   e. power supply means for applying voltage to the recording medium;   f. short-circuit means for canceling a charge stored in the recording medium to erase the information recorded in said recording medium;   h. output means for reproducing an output of the photo-current detection means; and   I. switching means that connects the photo-current detection means and the power supply means to the recording medium according to information reproducing and recording.   
     
     
       3. An information recording apparatus which comprises: a. recorded information input means;   b. a recording medium which has a laminate of a first film containing a charge generating material and a second film of a charge injecting material, the laminate being sandwiched between a pair of transparent electrodes;   c. first light irradiation means that irradiates light to the second film;   d. second light irradiation means which irradiates light to the first film;   e. photo-current detection means which detects photo current produced in the recording medium upon light irradiation by second light irradiation means.   f. power supply means which applies voltage to the first light irradiation means;   g. short-circuit means which erases the charges accumulated in the recording medium by short-circuiting the electrodes;   h. voltage control means which controls voltage of the power supply means in accordance with recording information;   I. output means which reproduces an output of the photo-current detection means; and   j. switching means for connecting the photo-current detection means and voltage control means to the recording medium according to information reproducing and recording.